Crean keen for firm flood-proofing plans

Mr Crean is today in Queensland's Gulf of Carpentaria to officially open the $18 million Einasleigh River Bridge, which was washed away during massive floods in 2009.

The bridge connects Mount Surprise and Georgetown.

He will also meet Gulf mayors and says he wants firm proposals for vital infrastructure.

"To look at not just ... replacing what is there but making sure that in the replacement we're securing it against further risk of the sorts of events which we've just experienced but that's going to require a much more strategic approach," he said.

"I think flood-proofing the Gulf as well as flood proofing the rest of Queensland is going to become a key issue in coming months.

"It's interesting that this bridge that we're opening was washed away previously and the towns that it connected were isolated for up to 10 weeks. This is a flood-proof bridge I'm told."